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W, J. SPIRO MULTIPLE CIRCUIT SWITCH Filed Sept. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. J. SPIRO MULTIPLE CIRCUIT SWITCH Filed Sept. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. J. SPIRO MULTIPLE CIRCUIT SWITCH Filed Sept. 1921 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 HHHHHHIHllHIHUIHHHHHIlllIIHllllll[IlHlHlHllllllllllllll iii Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES WALTER J. SPIRO, OF WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK.

MULTIPLE CIRCUIT SWITCH.

Application filed September a, 1921. Serial No. 499,123.

the electric circuits upon a motor vehicleand involves certain improvements upon the structure disclosed inniy'application 'filed' September 16; 1920, Serial No. 410,729.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved construction of switch and case locking means adapted to lock all of the parts, or to leave certain parts free for operation while the remaining part s'are" looked, through a predetermined adjustment of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to pres" sent an improved structure of rotatable switch member and cooperating spring at:- tuated contact therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of horn operating arm disposed beneath and adjacent the hand hold of a steering wheel, and of the contact lever controlled thereby.

Another object of the invention is to produce an improved locking mechanism c mprising an adjustablv mounted locking plate adapted to cooperate with holding detents for switch members a locking pin for u horn lever. and locking means upon an opposite member of the casing.

A further object of the invention is to present a new form of easing comprising separable members, one of which carries switch actuating parts and the opposite member provided with circuit contacts ct acting with said parts. together with a locking device upon one member cooperating with locking means upon the other when the case is in closed position.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will he hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings-- Figure 1 is a vertical section of the invention mounted in relation to a steering wheel:

Figure 2 is an elevation of the switch with the casing opened;

Figure 3 is a detail plan of the steering post connection;

Figure 4 is a detail section showing all members locked; a

- Figure 5 is a similar view with all members locked excepting the light controllin switch;

Figure 6 is a like view with all members locked excepting-the horn lever; V

Figure 7 is an elevation of the supporting disk upon the lock casing;

Figure 8 is a rear elevation ofthe locking plate; V Figure 9 'is a detail side elevation" of a switch member 'Figiire 10 is an elevation or the face thereof";

Figurell is a top plan of a spring contact;" 1

'Figure 12 is a longitudinal section through the same; i

.Figuret13 is a plan of a lamp socket blank;

"Figure 14' is a diagram of the instrument board and tail lamp circuits; and

Figure is a bottom plan-of the assembled switch and steering wheel.

Like numerals refer to like parts inthe several figures of the drawings l This invention-is vparticularly designed for the control of electric circuits 'upoii motor vehicles and is therefore illustrated as mounted upona part thereof-for the most convenient n'ianipulation by the operator. The numeral 10 designates a steering post provided with the usual operating wheel 11 and supporting a clamping block 12 slidably adjustable thereon. This block is formed with a recess 13 in which a gripping block 14 is disposed and provided with a segmental face 15 to engage the post. This block 12 is also formed with an extension 16 through which 11 set screw 17 is threaded to engage and retain the grippingblock in position' This extension alsosupports one end of the horizontally'di-sp'osed"tube 18, the opposite end of which is mounted upon a boss 19 from the switch casing or frame 20. The tube-is secured to these parts in any desired manner, for instance by brazing; arid carries the electric cable 21' extending to the casing. The frame casing being the secured member supports the non-conducting fuse and contact, holder 22, and has-'pivotally mounted thereon at 23, theouter'casebr upon its shaft Hffor this purpose.

shell 24 carrying the switch and locking mechanisms. The casing is provided with a series of posts 25 about which a circumferential insulating ring 26 is disposed to form an annular wiring. chamber 27 from which connections are made with the terminals 28 of the spring contacts 29 upon the outer face of the holder. An improved form of such contact is herein disclosed and comprises a plate 30 bent at its opposite ends 31 and 32 into different planes and provided intermediate thereof with a slot. 33 from which the metal is turned at an angle to form a pivot 34 upon which the plate rocks- The end 31' is formed with the usual curved contact point or face and the end 32 apertured at 36 to receive a post 37 from the terminal 28. This postis surrounded by a' spring 38 disposed between the head thereof and the end 32 oi the plate. By this structure the use of a spring plate is obviated and the objection of loss tof elasticity thereof avoided, while the rcsilient contact is provided by a coiled spring which :gives much more efiicient and reliable service. These contacts are disposed-upon '-the:,holder in suitably arranged groups to cooperate with the switch members. The, holder is also provided with the usual fuse clips 39 adapted to support thee fuses 40'for each ;eircuit.' The wiring connections are generally indicated in Figure 2, but are; not herein specifically de- The light control, switch lever is mounted in flowering- 46 formed on the outer.;fcase 24 and hasa. bearing portion Vithin the caseithisishaftihas;non-rotatably mounted th'ereoniametalretaining segment 48 and a.i-non-conductingr-plate 49; which carries the -conductin;:.. st1'ipsror plates 50. These strips'are secured by extending their ends throughthen-fiber plate49. and in order to prevent. such iends; contacting. with the Scgp ment 48, the latter is formed with a series of apertures 41 disposed to aline with the ends of the strips. The segment and plate are 'removably retained on the shaft by a nut 51 hearing againt a washer 52. The low'eredge of the segment is formed with teeth.53 forming seats-to cooperate with a yielding detent54 havinga tapering head to frictionally retain the switch in its different shifted positions. In order that the shift betweensome positions may be ac complished witlrles'ssresistance than others, the: side .wallsof the'teeth are inclined at ditt'erenti degrees' onzangles, the walls 55 of the'central tooth being at a greater angle than the walls 56 of the outer teeth. This permits the shifting'of the head and tail lights from their full light position to a dim light position, or vice versa, with the minimum of resistance to the finger of the operator.

When the shift is to be for full side, head and tail lights, or all lights cut oil, the re sistance to such movement is increased so that the operator is warned and accidental shifting to such positions prevented The minimum resistance is offered to first position shift to either right or leftwhile the maximum resistance occurs during further shift in either direction. The construction of the light control switch is substantially duplicated in the auxiliary switches 57 and 58 disposed at opposite sides thereof to control any other desired circuits and to cooperate with a unitary locking mechanism to be hereinafter described. The operating levers 5! for the auxiliary switches are pref- ('l;llll disposed downward while the lerer -r3 of the light switch extends upward to a position directly beneath or adjacent the hand hold oi the steering wheel so that it may be conveniently operated by a finger of the hand of the driver grasping, the wheel, as fully set forth inmy application filed September 16. 1920, Serial No. 410,729.

The horn operating bail or arm 60 is pivoted at 61 upon the case 24 and the hori zontal portion 62 thereof islongitudinally curved in substantially the same-arc as the rim of the steering'avheel so as l20 'PI6-- sent an extended area conveniently accessible to the fingers of the handiofithe operator-asthe wheel is shifted-for ordinary driving positions. This arm is hormally held away from the casing by the spring 63.

disposed at the pivots thereof. The-arm is provided at one end with' atailpiece .64

which bears against a horn lever 65 of non-.; conducting material pivoted uponia bracket.

(i6 at the inner face of the case. Th'eiop-z' spring 69 but is normallyheld against the.

tension of this springby the greater ten-- sion of the springs upon the horn arm. \Vhen the yoke of the arm is moved toward the case this latter tension is removed and the spring 69 shifts the horn lever to es tablish circuit. Such construction leaves the arm always free for operation and prevents damage tothemore delicate parts of the contact device.

h'leans are provided for locking the cusing, all switches, and the horn arm and for the adjustment of such means to Permit independent opera tion of the light switch or horn arm while the remaining members are locked in position. This may be accomplished by a locking plate 70 having a plurality of lock-in; [aces and mounted for oscillation upon a disk 71 carried by a lock member 72 secured to the casing 24. The plate is provided with overturned lugs 7 which pass through recesses 74 at the pcriphery of the disk and, when the plate is slightly, rotated, embrace the edge of the dish. The plate is also formed with a central opening having a series of spaced projections 76 to cooperate. with stop pins ii mounted upon the disk. ()ne of the pins 77 is yieldingly mounted as at 78 to permit,'u'hen depressed, sufficient rotary movement of the plate for its removal from the disk for the purpose of adjustment for difforent locking conditions.

The locking plate is actuated by a head 7'.) upon the rotatable lock cylinder 80 disposed ecoentrically to the opening 75, and this head carries a linger 81 which in its travel engages one of the projections 76.

Theplate is also provided at its periphery with tongues 82 which engage beneath the heads-8130f the posts 25 to lock the casing members together when in closed position, as iri'Figures 1 and 4. The plate is also formed with a series of apertures84 which, when the parts are in unlocked position, alinewith the detents 54 for the several switches, as shown'in Figure 1. These detents are disposed in sockets 85 in the lock casing and prtojectedtoward the switches by springs 86,,"while their shanks 87 extend through the disk 71. When the shank is in alineinent with an aperture 84 the detent can freely yield to permitoperation of the switchesand if the loqk plate be shifted to bring asolid portion'overthisdetent shank such movement is prevented. The'plate is further provided upontits rear face with a series of conical seats 88, which cooperate with a corresponding tapered head upon a lock 'pin'89. for the horn lever. 65. lVhen this pin is seated, as in Figure 1, this lever is free to close circuit for the horn, but if the plate is shifted to lock, the pin rides out of its seat and is'forced into the path of the. horn lever to prevent sufficient movement thereof to close circuit.

For the purpose of leaving the switch 45 used for the lights, operable when the other parts are locked, the locking plate is formed with openings 00 and 91 therethrough which are disposed to register with the detent for this switch when the remaining faces of the plate are in locking position. When the opening 90 is so alined the detent is free to retract from the switch and permit its operation. but the body of the plate forces the horn lever into position to prevent contact by the latter, as in Figure 5. If the opening 01 he so alined a similar operation occurs, except that the lock pin rests in one of th seats 83 and both lights and horn may be operated while the other elements of the switch and casing are locked. A further adjustment of the plate prevents retraction of all of the switch detents but leaves the lOL'li pin seated so that the horn may be operated while the remaining parts are locked. The

plate may lie proiideil nith su table llltllt'ittions thereon to guide the ositioning theref relative to the stop pins for the scmral locking functions, and b depressing one of these pins the plate may be turned suh'iciently for removal and readjustment u on its supporting dislc.

The frame casin; 20 is suitably recessed to receive an instrument board or dish lamp 91 mounted to engage at its base with the spring, contacts 05 upon an insulatin; support 96. These contacts are pivotally mounted similar to the contacts 29 and connected in series by lines 97 with the usual tail lamp 0.8 so that the dash lamp indicates the light condition of the tail lamp in the ordinary manner. Thev lines 97 are also connected with a resistance 90 having a line 100 to one contact terminal 101. The opposite side of the resistance is connected by a line 102 to a. terminal 103 disposed to be engaged by the end of one of the contacts. \Yhen the dash lamp is in operative position, as in Figure 14, the resistance is cut out of the circuit, but when the dash lamp is e. ting ished" or removed for use at. the tail lan ip, the contact establishes circuit through the resistance. to compensate for the dash lamp and the tail lamp circuit is always in operable, condition.

The socket 104 for the dash lamp is preferabl' f rn ed of a blank, as shown in Figure 13,\\' iic thus a crimped or serrated portion 105 near one end and is slotted longitudinall v to form a series'of fingers 106 which are bent outward .iarallel tothe body to form an elastic holder for. the usual shield 107. This hlaankis bent into tubular form and the ends of the lingers'defieoted laterally at 108 to provide a stop to limit the inward movement of the shield, while the opposite end of the socket. is zilso bent. laterally at 100 for attachment to the casing in operating arm 110 for oscillating the socket is secured thereto by being forced over the criinped portion and forms means by which the dash lump may be. conveniently manipulated.

The operation of the several parts will be apparent from the foregoing description and it will be seen that the adjustable locking plate is adapted for a plurality of differcnt. locking conditions. \Vith the parts in the position shown by Figure 1 all are released for ordinary operation, while when the plate is shifted to the position shown in Figure 4 all parts are locked. Under some municipal regulations it is required that the light control switch be left free for operation when the remaining parts are locked, and this condition is provided when the plate is adjusted to the positiop shown by Figure 5. ther regulations require that all parts holocked except the horn which is accomplished by a shitt to the position shown in Figure (J. Ry further all lUS llU

justment as described, both the lights and horn are released while the other parts are locked; In all of the locking positions the parts of the casing are securely locked and access to the interior thereof or to the clamp upon the steering post prevented. The concealed construction of this clamp avoids tampering therewith, and the casing being formed of pivoted separable members permits convenient access for inspection or repair. The pivoted switch is yieldingly retained in position for shifting against varied resistance by a finger of the hand of the operator when resting on the steering wheel, and such increased resistance warns against accidental shifting beyond the normal positions of use. The spring controlled contact obviates the use of a spring plate and avails the advantages of a coiled ten sion spring which provides more eiiicient results. The horn arm is positioned relative to the wheel rim so as to be always readily accessible, while the use of the lever actuated by an independeiit'springfor effectingfcontact, prevents the transmission of any pressure from the arm to the contact members. The means for locking the horn lever provides .for' a unitary control of all parts by a single member which is 'ad 'usta-' ble to effect a plurality of'difl'erent func'-' tions; .The mountiiig' for the dash lamp and 'its circuit connections through a resistance with the tail lamp provide a most desirable constructi iin' in which the dash, lampjmay be extinguished or removed with-- out afi'ectingth e taillamp circuit. This'is particularly convenient when fit] is I desired to use the dash; lamp toreplacefa disabled tail lamp;

h .i' i ii qn- Pr s aisimn'le e nt. and economically Qm'anufactured construetion, and whilethe-specific featnr] s thereof have been shown and describeld sti changes and,alterations' may be made therein as the'f invention is not confined to such details as set forth in the following'cla-ims- .What I claim is Z-F:

1. .In a' circuit switch, a. casing, a pinrality, of separately. operable switch mem bers' mounted, therein, and a locking device cooperatingjsvith'said members and having adjustable means ,to selectively lock all thereof orto leaveone or more members free: for operation while locking the remaining members.

2.1In a circuit switch, a casing comprising separable; part-s, a, switch member mounted therein, and a unitary locking device constructed to lock said member and said casing in closed position and adjustable to permit operation of said member inde pendent of the casing lock.

3. In a circuit switch, a casing, 21 plurality of contact members mounted therein, holding devices for said members, and a locking mechanism comprising an adjustable member to lock all of said devices or one or more at will.

4. In a circuit switch, a casing, a plurality of contact members mounted therein, holding detents for said members and an adjustably mounted locking plate cooperat-ing with said detents and constructed to permit independent operation of one or more thereof while retaining the remainder in locked position.

5. In a circuit switch, a casing, a plurality of contact members mounted therein, holding detents for said members, and a locking plate cooperating with said detents and having apertures adapted to be alined therewith to permit selective releasing movement of one or more of the detents.

6. In a circuit switch, a casing, a plurality of contact members mounted therein, holding detents for said members, and a locking plate having apertures adapted to aline with all of said detents and an independent opening adapted'to aline with one thereof to permit its operation while the remaining detents are locked by said plate.

7. In a circuit switch, a casing comprising separable members, a plurality of contact' members mounted therein, holding detents for said members, a locking plate co operating with'said contact members and having apertures adapted to aline with said detents, and a peripherial" lug on said plate to lock the'c'asing members.

8. In acircuit switch,-a casing, a switch member therein, a sliding device having one end disp0sed=for locking said member, and a" locking plate having recesses in which the opposite endof said device is adapted to seat when unlocked.

9. In a circuit-switch, a casing, a switch member ftherein, a movable device having oneend'disposed for locking said member, and a locking plate having means for shift ing the opposite end of said device into locking position.

10. In a circuit switch,a casing, a switch member therein, a locking pin having one end engaging said member, and a locking plate having a seating recess for the opposite end of said pin with an inclined wall to shift the pin'into locking position.

11 In a circuit switch, a casing, a movableswitch member therein, a locking pin interposed in the path of said member and having a tapering end, and a lockin plate having a conical recess to receive the end of said pin when in unlocked position.

12. In a circuit switch, a casing, a. plurality of coiltact elements, a movable switch member, a shiftable device for engaging and locking said member, and a locking plate having means to control said elements and independent means to lock or release said member through said device,

13. In a circuit switch, a casing comprising separablemembemshiftable switch devices mounted upon one member thereof, cooperating contacts upon the opposite member adapted to engage said devices as the casing is closed, a locking device upon one casing member, and fixed locking means upon the opposite member disposed to be engaged by said device when the casing is closed.

14. In a circuit s itch, a separable casing, rotatable switch devices mounted upon one member thereof. cooperating contacts upon the opposite member adapted to engage said devices as the casing is closed, means for locking said devices, a locking plate upon one member of the casing controlling said means. and fixed locking posts upon the opposite member to be engaged b said plate.

15. In a circuit. switch, a separable casing, switch devices mounted upon one member thereof and having operating handles upon its outer face, cooperating contacts upon the opposite member adapted to engage said devices as the casing is closed, a rotatable locking plate upon onemember, and cooperating means upon the opposite member disposed to be engaged by-said plate.

16. In a circuit switch, a separable cas ing, a series of locking-postsi-upon one member thereof, a series of icontacts arranged cincumferentially of.isaid posts, Switch devices upon the .oppositomembei: cooperating with said contactsama nsifor locking said switch devices, and a "lockin" plate upon saidoppositelmember athtpted to cooperate w ithlshid'iposts and locking means for the switch devices 17. In a circuit switch, a pivoted switch member, contacts cooperatin therewith, a holding detent for said member, a locking device for said detent and member, and holding seats upon the member having means to vary the frictional resistance of the detent in shifting the switch to different positions 18. In a circuit switch, a casing, a switch operating member pivoted thereon and having an arm within the casing, a lever having one end disposed in the path of said arm, tension means for normally holding said arm in contact with said end of the lever, a circuit contact disposed in the path of the opposite end of the lever, and means of less tension than the first mentioned tension means for projecting said lever toward said contact when the arm is withdrawn from engagement therewith.

1.). lo a circuit switch, a casing, a switch operatin .irm mounted thereon, a lever disposed to l)( actuated thereby, 1 circuit CO1]- tzict arranged in the path of said lover, .I

sliding locking device adapted to limit the travel of said lever to prevent contact, and a locking mechanism for controlling said device. 1

20. In a circuit switch, a casing, a switch operating arm mounted thereon, a lever disposed to be actuated thereby. a circuit contact arranged in the path of said lever. a locking device adapted to limit the travel of said lever to prevent contact, a pivoted switch, locking means therefor, and a locking mechanism for controlling said device andswitch locking means.

21. In a circuit switch. the combination with a steering post and wheel, of a casing supported laterally from said post. :1 switch actuating arm mounted upon the casing. and an'operating surface upon said arm movable toward and from the wheel axis and disposed adjacent to and beneath the hand hold of thewheel and extended circnmferentially thereof.

- 22. In a circuit switch, the combination with a steering post and wheel, of a casing supported laterally from'said post, a switch actuating arm mounted upon the casin and a curved yoke upon said arm movalile toward'and from the wheel axis and disposed ad'acent; to' and' beneath the hand hold of t rwheel and extended circumferentially thereof.

-23. In a circuit switch, the combination withgasteering' post and wheeL-of a casing supported laterally from said; post, a switch 'actuating arm: mounted uponthe casing, a cuiniedl yoke upon said arm movable toward and from the wheel axis and disposed adjacent tbandtbeneaththe hand holdof the wheelaand extepded circumferentiallythereofi dos-vertical switch lever: disposed substantially centrally of said yoke and directly beneath said hand hold.

24. In a circuit switch, a separable casing, a pivoted switch member mounted therein, a holding detent for said member, a switch arm mounted upon the casing, a circuit contact controlled by said arm, and a locking plate having an aperture to cooperate with said detent and recesses upon its rear face to actuate locking means for said circuit contact.

25. In a circuit switch, a separable casing having one member provided with fixed locking means, a pivoted switch member mounted therein, a holding detent for said member, a switch arm mounted upon the casing, a circuit contact controlled thereby, a locking plate having an aperture to receive said detent and a recess to actuate locking means for said circuit contact, and lugs upon the periphery of said plate to engage the fixed locking means upon the opposite member.

26. In a circuit switch, a casing, a locl: mechanism mounted therein, a supporting disk secured thereto, a locking plate having a central aperture and inwardly projecting finger, an eccentrically disposed head upon a rotating member of said mechanism having means to engage said finger, and means controlled by said plate for locking a switch member.

27. Ian circuit switch, a casing, a lock mechanism mounted therein, a supporting disk secured thereto and having recesses upon its periphery, a removable locking plate mounted upon said disk and having overturned lips to embrace the periphery thereof, means from said mechanism for actuating said plate, and means controlled by said plate for locking 'a switch member.

28. In a circuit switch, a casing, 'a lock mechanism mounted therein, a disk secured thereto, a rotatable locking plate supported upon said disk and provided with'a central aperture, stop 'pins carried by said disk, :1 projection from said plate at its aperture and disposed between said pins, lockvcontrolled-means disposed for actuating the plate at the aperture therein, and means cont-rolled by-said plate for locking a'switch member.

29. In a-circuit switcn, a casing, a' lock mechan'ismmounted therein, a; disknsecur'ed thereto, a rotatable locking p'late iem'ovably supported upon said disk, stop pins/carried by said disk one ofw'hich-is-yieldinglyprojected, a projection 'from-said'plate ispos'ed between said :pins, means'oontrolle'd bysaid mechanismfi for-zactiiating the plate; rand meanscontrolled by said .plate for locking a switch member.

30. In a. circuit switch,-a separable casing having locking" mearis,.'=ai apivotdzswitch member mounted therein, locking means for said member, a contact carried by the casing, a locking mechanism, and an adjustable locking plate actuated thereby and having a series of faces adapted to jointly or independently lock the before mentioned members.

31. In a circuit switch, a casing. a lock frame mounted thereon and having a rotatable actuating member, a pivoted switch upon the casing, means for holding said switch yieldingly mounted upon the lock frame, a supporting disk upon said frame. and a locking plate movable mounted upon said disk and cooperating with said holding means. 7

32. In a circuit switch, a casing, a lock frame mounted thereon and having a rotatable actuating member, a pivoted switch upon the casing, a detent for holding said switch yieldingly mounted upon the lock frame, a contact lever, a lock pin therefor mounted in said frame, a supporting disk upon the frame, and a locking plate carried by .said disk and cooperating with saic detent and pin. I

33.' Ina circuit switch, a separable casing, 21. :lockframe mounted upon one member thereof-and having-arotatable member, a pivotedi'switchmpon the casing, a detent for iioldin said switch yieldingly mounted upon tIielocle frame,'a contact lever, a lock pin therefor. slidingly mounted in said frame, a locking po'stupon an opposite casingarnember, a supporting disk upon the lock frame,-and a locking plate carried by said diskiand cooperating with said detent, pin-and po'st.:;

Intestimony whereof I afiii: my signature.

.WALTER J. SPIRO. 

